Landmark Supreme Court Decision Raises Major Barriers to New Fossil Fuel Projects in the UK

Supreme Court Decision Puts Major Barriers on New Fossil Fuel Projects in the UK

In a groundbreaking decision today, the Supreme Court has ruled that it was unlawful for Surrey County Council to grant planning permission for oil production to UK Oil and Gas (UKOG) at its Horse Hill site near Gatwick. This ruling has major implications for all new fossil fuel projects in the UK, including the proposed new coal mine in Cumbria and the Rosebank oil field in the North Sea.

The court found that Surrey County Council failed to assess the impact of downstream greenhouse gas emissions in granting permission for oil production at the Horse Hill site. This decision effectively halts UKOG’s plans to drill for up to 3.3 million tonnes of crude oil for 20 years at the site.

The legal challenge was brought by Extinction Rebellion climate campaigner Sarah Finch on behalf of the Weald Action Group. Finch argued that environmental impact assessments must take into account downstream emissions caused by burning extracted oil. The Supreme Court’s ruling marks the end of Finch’s long-running legal campaign, which she took to the highest court after three Appeal Court judges were split over the lawfulness of Surrey County Council’s decision.

Local Extinction Rebellion campaigner Reverend Helen Burnett hailed the ruling as a testament to the power of grassroots organizing. She expressed gratitude for the perseverance of activists who have been opposing fossil fuel extraction at the Horse Hill site for over five years.

Campaigner James Knapp from Weald Action Group celebrated the ruling as a significant victory for all campaigners who have been fighting against fossil fuel projects. He highlighted the years of fundraising and direct action that led to this key result.

Sarah Finch, the lead campaigner, expressed her joy at winning the case and emphasized the importance of assessing the full climate impacts of oil production. She stated that the ruling sends a clear message that planning authorities cannot permit new fossil fuel developments without considering their true climate impact.

The Supreme Court’s ruling makes it clear that downstream emissions must be taken into consideration in the environmental assessments of fossil fuel projects. The court emphasized the importance of public participation in environmental decision-making and stated that planning authorities cannot ignore the adverse effects on climate.

This landmark decision sets a precedent for future fossil fuel projects in the UK and underscores the urgent need to address the climate crisis. It sends a strong message to oil and gas companies that business-as-usual is no longer an option in the face of the climate emergency.